Sunday, March 25, 2007

I Blog, Therefore I am

Why do we blog? Personally, I find it much easier to share my thoughts and experiences in writing. I am usually rather stand-offish in social situations where I don't know very many people. My tongue gets wrapped around my eye teeth and I can't see what I'm saying.

I also have a pretty sensitive B.S.-O-Meter, and the fact that I simply do not have a poker face usually lets the other person know exactly what I'm thinking. This makes for short conversations, at any rate.

So, for me, blogging is a way of reaching out to people without having to get dressed and put on makeup. It's also a learning experience. Reading the blogs of people all over this country and in other countries is enriching as well as entertaining. You can larn how other people think and feel without the distractions of other conversations around you while trying to balance a paper plateful of shrimp and a drink of some description, and wondering what on earth promted him/her to wear that outfit.

Some of the people on my blogroll have become as dear to me as some of the people I have known, in person, for years. All of them are people I would feel comfortable with. It's a community of thoroughly likeable people, unlike the actual community in which I live.

In a small town, people tend to be all alike, which leads to boredom, and after you attend a few meetings or social activities with them, the thrill is gone. It's a rather inbred community, with inward-looking citizens, and I'd rather have diversity. Most of the people in my town are perfectly happy to remain here and never go past the city or county limits, either physically or mentally. Nothing really wrong with that, I guess, but look how much they miss out on.

Bloggers, in my opinion, are basically honest about themselves, it would seem. Maybe I have just been lucky enough to find the best of them, but, since it is a journal, as opposed to, say MySpace, it lends itself to more self-analyzation, in many cases. Hence, we know each other from the inside out, instead of the other way around.

So, to all my blogbuddies out there, I thank you for being my friends, and I hope we'll be friends for a long time to come.

Gettin old makes you contemplative. I'll be funnier next time.

25 comments:

Andrea Turchi said...

Thank you for your post! It brings me some fresh air!
Congratulations!
Andrea

www.apartirdeunafrase.blogspot.com

Bardouble29 said...

Hi there, I am her from Jay's blog. I have heard so much about you, I wanted to make my way over here for a neighborly hello!

Anonymous said...

A post just to let you know I am one of your fans, and am glad that "you blog, therefore you are". I enjoy reading your thoughts-contemplative or funny.

Jodi said...

I like your blog. It's funny and interesting.

I feel the same way about some of my blogging buddies, your son being one of them. He is easy to talk to and easy to write to.

Keep on bloggin'!
J.

Annie said...

You know, Betty, I feel the same way about blogging being more social fun than parties and other social events. And I also really enjoy the community that's been built, that I visit regularly, in blogland.

I started blogging to have another hobby besides knitting & reading, etc. It's become a big part of my life, just as those other activities are also.

And you know what, I don't care if you're funny. I like you everyway you are.

Joy Des Jardins said...

You don't have to be funnier Betty. Your serious side is every bit as appealing as your humorous side.....I loved this piece. It says exactly how I think we all feel about blogging and what we give and get out of it.

Thank you for being a part of my day that I so enjoy...and for sharing your wonderful humor and honesty.

auntiegwen said...

Enjoying your blog tremendously and a belated happy birthday from me

xx

Anonymous said...

Hey Betty...."Contemplative" is good. After all, it is your journal. And it does give one a place to talk about things that stir their emotions, whether good or bad. Thank you for sharing.

Galla Creek said...

I enjoy reading your thought because I usually totally agree with you, but there is always a little different perspective than I have.

I don't have a bunch of pals. I really enjoy visiting you and hitting the x button when I am ready to go. No excuses just bam and I have left you.

Oh, I'm gone.

Anonymous said...

Nice one ! Betty

Erica Ann Putis said...

When I first started a blog I didn't get it. I didn't understand how it was a journal that everyone could read. So what was I supposed to write? But now I get it. It's almost like a community of people and each person give you something. Sometimes a laugh, a cry or just some insight. I'm glad I've started to make blogger buddies and I get so inspired when I read someone who writes really well. One of those being you!! I'm definitely going to link you. :)

katy said...

i hope that we remain blogging buddies for a long time too, what a wonderful post x

CarmenSinCity said...

I started blogging almost a year ago and I've met so many people in this past year from the blogging community. I'm fortunate because I live in Vegas and a lot of people travel out here for vacations etc. Bloggers usually give me a heads up that they are coming into town and I set aside an afternoon if possible and we hangout - it's always a great time. I'm so happy that I started my blog!

Anonymous said...

I'm still chuckling at the image I have of you at a party with bs-ing people scurrying off because of the disgusted looks you give them!

I had no idea what I was getting into when I was first coerced into starting a blog. It's been a fun ride and I'm glad you've been a part of it!

So...did you do anything special for your birthday?

Betty said...

andrea: Thank you and welcome. Come back and see me.

Hi, bardouble29: You're welcome any time.

Hi, Lisa: Glad to see you.

hoosier girl: Thanks, come back and see me, y'hear?

Thanks Annie, and Joy. I like your blogs, too.

gwen, alang, and sister3, Thanks for your comments.

Thank you, John. I like your blog, too.

Erica: I'm flattered that you want to link to my blog. Thanks.

her indoors: I may not comment every day, but I read your post every day.

carmensincity: A visit to Vegas is not beyond the realm of possibilty, as I've been there twice. I just don't dare go too often. Maybe we'll meet some day.

susan: I didn't do anything special on my birthday, except read lots and lots of comments on my blog. It was so much fun!

Tink said...

>>So, for me, blogging is a way of reaching out to people without having to get dressed and put on makeup.<<

What a great way of explaining it!

I'm glad to have you as part of my extended/internet family. ((HUG))

Betty said...

Tink: Welcome to the family. If we come to Florida on vacation, can we stay with you? lol

Unknown said...

Betty,
I'm loving your comments, but I think you must have changed your email address. Whenever I try to write to you it comes bouncing back. Come back to me!

DirkStar said...

Uh, I think there may be something wrong with my eyes...

Could you come and maybe take a look?

Ellie said...

I loved your post. I am new to the blog world and in all honesty I was a bit skeptical of it when Newt would tell me about it, but now that I have joined I honestly understand why she started and I am glad she convinced me to do so. I would definately agree the people seem honest and I also think that the blog world is a very welcoming community!

Anonymous said...

Great post, Betty. I agree with your reasons for blogging. Communicating through blogging is so much more entertaining than getting gussied up and going out. Besides, there really isn't a place to go out to around here unless I want to hang out at the Elks Lodge or Walmart SuperCenter.

Betty said...

gail: I put my e-mail address in your comments tonight. I hope it works this time.

dirk: Your eyes look ok to me.

ellie: I enjoy your blog, too. The more you post, the more ideas you get. (And, you can steal ideas from other bloggers. They don't mind.)

songbird: I'm not an Elk, or related to one, so that's out, and I have anxiety attacks in Wal-Mart.

Maya's Granny said...

Thank you for being my fried, as well. I find it wonderful to be able to visit with friends all over the world on days when I can't even get out of the house.

Newt said...

What a wonderful post. It gave me the warm fuzzies because it's so true. It is life without make-up and it's wonderful and expressive. We can be ourselves!

Hugs to you

unknown said...

Betty,
I, too, agree with everything you wrote about blogging. For me it is also a way of venting without really venting. :-) When I started I never thought about all the wonderful people I would meet and the knowledge I would gain. My blogger friends are a much appreciated part of my life and I am glad you are one of them. THANK YOU! hugsssssssssss